Review of The Woman in the Window: Book and Movie

I had the two books, The Woman in the Window and The Girl on the Train, on my bookshelf for more than a month. I was confused which one to read first. But I decided to read the latter first. The Girl on the Train was gripping to begin with, but somehow the suspense tapers off half way into the book. The Woman in the Window, on the other hand, keeps you guessing and closes with an unexpected ending.

Book Review: The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn

The Woman in the Window novel tells the story of Dr. Anna Fox, a child psychologist suffering from agoraphobia, and who watches her neighbors from the window of her New York home. Her days are filled with wine, old movies, and prescription drugs, and her mind is haunted by a traumatic past she refuses to face.

One day, Anna witnesses something horrific in her neighbor’s window—the supposed murder of Jane Russell. But no one believes her, especially when the woman she claims to have seen turns out to be someone else entirely. The story plays with the reader’s perception, making us question Anna’s memory, mental state, and reliability.

I found the book engaging, though it moved slowly in some parts. A. J. Finn’s writing style reminded me of classic noir thrillers, especially with the Hitchcock references and the sense of claustrophobia.

The suspense builds steadily, and I liked how Anna’s internal battles mirrored the mystery outside her window. The twist in the final act caught me by surprise, even though I expected a major reveal.

Finn does a solid job portraying mental illness, though sometimes Anna’s drinking and confusion felt repetitive. Still, the novel succeeds in making the reader feel as uncertain as the protagonist. I wouldn’t call the book fast-paced, but the tension was always simmering under the surface.

This book is a psychological thriller that relies on character over action, and that made the suspense feel more intimate. It’s not just about what Anna saw—it’s about whether she can trust her own mind.

Movie Review: The Woman in the Window (2021)

The Netflix movie adaptation of The Woman in the Window was a different experience from reading the novel. Directed by Joe Wright and starring Amy Adams as Anna Fox, the film compresses the book’s slow-burning tension into a brisk 100-minute runtime.

The movie stays largely faithful to the plot, with a few alterations in pacing, character depth, and dialogue. Amy Adams gives a strong performance, showing Anna’s vulnerability and paranoia convincingly, but the emotional depth feels rushed compared to the novel.

The film uses dramatic lighting and camera angles to emphasize Anna’s distorted reality, creating a dreamlike and sometimes disorienting atmosphere.

However, the storytelling feels uneven. Some subplots, like Anna’s background as a psychologist or her relationships with neighbors, are underdeveloped or removed altogether. The mystery unfolds quickly, and the twist, while still impactful, loses some of the psychological buildup that the book provides.

The visual style tries to pay homage to Hitchcockian thrillers, but it sometimes borders on over-stylized. The editing and flashbacks, though atmospheric, can be confusing if you haven’t read the book. The ending feels slightly abrupt, and there’s less emotional closure than in the novel.

One strength of the film is its ability to visually represent Anna’s fear and isolation. The camera movements and set design convey how trapped she feels, both physically and mentally. The mood is haunting, but it lacks the steady, suspenseful build of the original source.

Overall, the film delivers the major plot points, but doesn’t fully capture the psychological complexity of Anna’s character. It’s watchable and occasionally gripping, but it may not satisfy viewers looking for deeper emotional tension. If you’re a fan of domestic thrillers, the movie might work better as a companion to the book than as a standalone experience.

Comparison: Book vs. Movie – The Woman in the Window

Both the book and movie versions of The Woman in the Window highlight the strengths and limitations of the two formats. The book offers a slow, introspective, and immersive journey into Anna’s fractured mind. The movie, by contrast, condenses the story into a fast-paced thriller that leans more on style than substance.

The novel excels at making the reader question what’s real and what’s imagined. A. J. Finn carefully builds suspense through Anna’s inner monologue, which helps us understand her guilt and confusion. The book also gives more context to her mental illness, allowing readers to connect with her vulnerabilities on a deeper level.

The movie delivers visual flair and tension, but often sacrifices character depth for pacing. While Amy Adams portrays Anna convincingly, the film doesn’t explore her psychological layers as deeply as the book does. The plot twist feels rushed, and emotional beats that were impactful in the book fall flat on screen.

In the novel, side characters like the tenants and the Russell family are fleshed out better. Their motivations and secrets are revealed gradually, adding layers to the central mystery. In the film, many of these characters feel reduced to basic plot devices, with their screen time cut or simplified.

Cinematically, the movie uses lighting, reflections, and distorted imagery to emphasize Anna’s paranoia. These stylistic choices are striking, but they can be disorienting for viewers unfamiliar with the source material. The book, while less visually dramatic, builds suspense in a more grounded and methodical way.

The main difference is that the book prioritizes psychological realism, while the movie leans toward dramatic tension. If you enjoy slow-burning thrillers with unreliable narrators, the novel delivers a more satisfying and layered experience. The film works better for casual viewers seeking a quick and stylish mystery.

Final Thoughts

The Woman in the Window is a compelling psychological thriller in both forms, but the novel offers a richer and more introspective experience. The movie has its moments, but falls short in emotional depth and narrative complexity. If you're deciding between reading or watching, start with the book.

Have you read the book or seen the movie? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below—I’d love to hear your take!

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